NAME: This wine has been named after Jorg Gartelmann’s son Phillip.

VINEYARDS:The cool climate vineyard in Rylstone on pebbly alkaline clay-loam over limestone produces a very good Merlot, helped by an alkaline pH of 7.5, similar to the Rhone Valley. The Cabernet Sauvignon is from Mudgee. At 480m altitude, it has the benefits of the warm ripening weather but escapes the intensive heat which can be destructive to fruit. The vineyard block is slightly acidic in the top soil 0-20 cm, then gradually increasing in pH to 7.5 to 8.0 at 1.0 m depth. The soils are high in calcium, alkali in nature.

TASTING NOTES: Matured for 14months in a mix of new and seasoned French and American oak hogsheads and puncheons. This is a complex wine of rich, bold black fruits layered with dense inviting oak, with great length of palate and beautiful balance. Deep purple in colour with a nose of liquorice and dried spice with a tomato bush layer. The palate has strong dusty tannins with a rich full flavour of blackcurrants and ripe plums.

FOOD MATCHING: Slow braised beef ribs, venison, kangaroo and mature cheeses.

CELLARING: Drink from 2018, better from 2020, or cellar until 2025+.

VINTAGE: Mudgee and Rylstone had average or below average rainfall from July through to December and heavy rainfalls in January. Average rainfalls in February and early March were followed five weeks of completely dry weather until harvest.